Patterns and Causes of Global Events

Abstract

Global events are selective with respect to biota, ecosystem and palaeo-geography. Global bio-events are mostly connected with a facies change. They give rise to a regular evolutionary pattern, the E-R sequence, which comprises after the extinction event a generative phase followed by a radiation, i.e. a strong diversification. At least most of the global events are proximately caused by changes of environmental conditions. Thereby changes in sea level, oceanic conditions, and climate are prevailing. To a great extent the questions about ultimate causes and periodicity are still unanswered.